I like the extras. It really comes down to personal preference though.

 

I like my bells and whistles!

Bill

 

I had to choose between the GMC Versions AT4X vs AT4X AEV.
I went for the regular AT4X because I liked the look of the wheels way better plus it came with a Bed Cover and side steps from the factory.
As for creature comforts, you will use them every day of your life, how often will you need what the Bison can do better off-road than the ZR2.

Unless I run in to a Bugout situation I won't regret getting the regular AT4X.

 

I would go for the $9K less ZR2 with more options and if you love the look of the bigger tires I would price the same size of the Bizon tires from TireRack and have a local installer put them on and have the stance of the Bison without the bumpers and heavier skip plates of the bison for about $6K cheaper after putting the bigger tires on.

 

I think your decision should be on how much you plan to offroad vs daily driver.
The extras on the ZR2 are what you want or just extra bells and whistles you can do without.
There is nothing like "model" envy to nag at you.
$9,000 can go quite a ways to mod a ZR2 to build your own personal BZR2+

 

With the exception of the bumpers and the “programming” for the tire size, you can buy all the Bison stuff for the ZR2 from GM.
I installed the Bison skid plates and might install the jounce dampers.

 

I think the ZR2 is the sweet spot myself. Highly off-road capable with all the bells and whistles you want. I actually traded in a 24 ZR2 for another 24 ZR2 with the bells and whistles. The first one did not have the CP3 package and a few other things which I really wanted. If I could get the front and rear AEV bumper it would be perfect.

 

Maybe someday AEV will sell the bumpers. They’re on my list of things I want for my truck.

 

Personally, I’d go regular ZR2 if it was gonna be my only vehicle and daily driver.

 

Well the Bison is quite awesome, no doubt. When I saw another guy had one at a tactical shoot night recently, I did feel just slightly envious in my "little" ZR2. But honestly, since mine is daily driver and I don't do hard offroading I think I would still stick with the regular ZR2. If price of truck and price of a little more gas was not a concern, the main reason I have is not wanting the spare tire taking up a lot of bed space in an already small bed in my daily driver and not having a great way to add a tonneau cover to it. Other reason is getting into the ZR2 is already a little bit of a chore and not sure I would want to add another 1.5" to the leap 'n slide exercise all the time, and the more I have considered adding the steps the less I like the look of them hanging down.

 

i'm the same when it comes to liking the look of the raised truck with no steps but its good for shorter people to be able to get in the truck is my thoughts. Thats why I will add running boards that sit just below the door so it has high clearance but its should help shorter people. I say that being 5'8" and not needing a step for the Colorado Trail Boss I want to get in a few years.

 

The Bison I have ordered will rarely if ever be used off road. I love the stance and it is a nice build right off the lot AND it is all warrantied. I would rather have overkill and never need it versus need it and not have it. Get what you really feel drawn to and call it a day. Trust me, don’t end up with buyer’s remorse regardless of what you choose.
Also do you have to have it now? You could order exactly what you want and wait.

 

If you saw them in person side by side, you would already have the Bison. End of story.

The cloth seats are nicer imo, look better and more comfortable....I went from a fully loaded '24 ZR2 to a less optioned out '24 Bison...not a stitch of regret.

 

The Bison is corny. The bed is already too small, now 1/4 of it is taken up by spare tire. If you're going to spend that much on something dedicated to offroad, there are much better starting points.

 

Cuz a long bed is so useful offroad. Ever gotten a flat while wheeling with 35" tires? Having that 35" in the bed is a god send.

 

I could build a lot better ZR2 on real 35’s for a lot less than the difference between the Bison and ZR2. But that’s just me 🤷🏼‍♂️

 

Anyone could build a ZR2 into a Bison or better..my (old) dealer will use that against me for the warranty as WBGDR also mentioned, unless "They" do the work. Also why I dropped that dealer...bunch of jerks..and I see on google reviews they now have their own employees giving 5 star reviews and the company says "thanks for your review" knowing it is their own people..just trying to up their stars and because of all the negatives...lower ratings than those dealers around them, which is right.

 

100%! That warranty factor is a big convenience. I’ve had dealers try to deny warranty work for bumping up tire size. I’ve only had one or 2 dealers that were on the level, out of about 15 vehicles owned.

 

ZR2, its better to add to a truck than to take away and then add, you pay twice. The Bison is a good looking truck but is really made for folks who spend alot of time off roading. Hence the reason i went with a Trail boss with the options i really wanted. In all reality my TB is a ZR2 except it doesnt have the high dollar suspension and a 2 inch lift instead of a 3 inch. I want to pick my own tires down the road as well...

 

The Bison is a very cool rig, but I voted ZR2.
It has great road manners but needs nothing off road. I do use mine in the desert and I can tell you it will go anywhere I'm brave enough to go.

If I was going to spend Bison kind of money I would probably be looking at a Ranger Raptor.

 

I'm a little surprised that bumper spare carriers are not more popular. It used to be almost standard on SUV's way back (4runner, Pathfinder, blazer, bronco). P up's not so much because they were work trucks first, but aftermarket was strong.

 

In the mist of this I went ZR2. Figured I would rather have a loaded ZR2 than a stripped BISON. It is going to fit my needs better.

 

As long as you are happy.. congrats, may it serve you well

 

I bought mine when the Bison wasn't an option, but would have still done the same thing if it was - ZR2, but with zero options. I don't need the extras and the ZR2 trim is pretty well kitted-out without them. Doing that left me with more money for other stuff like fishing and camping gear to chuck into the bed.

 

For me the Bison wasn't worth the extra price with no engine upgrade. At that price point I would have considered a Ranger Raptor. The only real upgrade from the Bison IMO is the jounce dampers, which for $2,800 for the kit (+ install), I think I'm going to do, and add some aluminum skids instead of the super expensive AEV skids. Go to 285/75R17's (33.8", the Bison's are only 34.4") or maybe an actual 35X11.5R17 on the OEM wheels, and I've got 90% of a Bison for about 1/2 the cost.

 

Ahh you still will not have the front and rear steel bumper's or the full hot stamped boron steel (made in Canada) skid plate package. Aluminum skid plates CANNOT hold there own when compared to these (Aluminum is soft and guages easily. I have seen guys get hung up on rock's cuz they dug into their aluminum skid plate, these AEV hot stamped steel plates have been great for sliding over rocks and downed tree's.)

Throw on some 35's and get the jounce dampers kit put on and I'd say your 50% there. Still need the Steel (and winch ready) front and rear bumpers, the full boron steel skid plate package and your trucks computer to be reset for 35's (if you care about having truly accurate tach and fuel mileage numbers).

 

Ahh you still will not have the front and rear steel bumper's or the full hot stamped boron steel (made in Canada) skid plate package. Aluminum skid plates CANNOT hold there own when compared to these.

Throw on some 35's and get the jounce dampers kit put on and I'd say your 50% there. Still need the Steel (and winch ready) front and rear bumpers, the full boron steel skid plate package and your trucks computer to be reset for 35's (if you care about having truly accurate tach and fuel mileage numbers.

As soon as AEV starts selling the bumpers.

 

I will choose Bison

 

Whatever you choose, we can all agree we'd rather spend the extra $12,000 on the Bison and not the 2023 Desert Boss /haha